“A pound of pluck is worth a ton of luck.”
-James A. Garfield
Born: November 19, 1831 (Orange Township, Ohio)
Died: September 19, 1881 (Elberon, New Jersey)
President of the United States: March 4, 1881 - September 19, 1881
The chapter on James A. Garfield in Confronting the Presidents reveals a life of hardship, extreme intellect, love, and fate, culminating in one of the briefest presidencies in American history.
Born into extreme poverty in a log cabin in Ohio, Garfield rose from near-destitution to the nation’s highest office. He is often considered the poorest man ever to become president. His early years were defined by relentless determination, as he worked as a janitor, carpenter, and teacher while pursuing his education. That tenacity led him to Williams College, where his brilliance began to shine.
Garfield’s intellect was extraordinary. O’Reilly describes him as one of the most gifted minds ever to occupy the White House. He was a true scholar and fluent in multiple languages.
Before entering politics, he was a preacher, lawyer, and educator, a testament to his extreme curiosity and lifelong devotion to learning.
His personal life was far from ideal. Garfield’s marriage to Lucretia Rudolph included emotional distance, the devastating loss of their young daughter “Little Trot,” and the strain of Garfield’s affairs. The letters between them in later years indicate a rekindled devotion.
Garfield’s political ascent was a result of his sense of duty rather than political ambition. He became a hero in the Civil War and later served in Congress, earning respect for his integrity and intellect. His presidential nomination did not come from personal pursuit. It was a compromise at a deadlocked Republican convention. He never sought the office, but instead was elevated to the highest office in our nation by circumstance.
Once in office, Garfield fought corruption head-on, challenging the political patronage system, in which elected officials reward supporters. His stance for reform reflected his moral courage, but it earned him some very influential enemies.
Garfield’s presidency was cut short after only 200 days when an assassin shot him. The tragedy was compounded by medical malpractice that turned a survivable wound into a fatal one. In an interesting historical coincidence, Abraham Lincoln’s son, Robert Todd Lincoln, was present at Garfield’s death.
Though his time in office was fleeting, Garfield left behind a legacy of honor and reform. The book credits his brief leadership with helping restore integrity to the presidency and laying the groundwork for future change. 
Fun Fact:
Garfield was so intelligent that he could (reportedly) write Latin with one hand and Greek with the other simultaneously. That seems a little far-fetched to me. Do you think that was really possible?
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